[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21224-21225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10727]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-139]


Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact 
Regarding Proposed Order Authorizing Dismantling and Disposition of 
Component Parts University of Washington

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an order authorizing the University of 
Washington (UW) to dismantle their research facility located on the 
licensee's campus in Seattle, Washington, and to dispose of the reactor 
components in accordance with the application dated August 2, 
1994. [[Page 21225]] 

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    By application dated August 2, 1994, UW requested authorization to 
decontaminate and dismantle the UW research reactor, to dispose of its 
component parts in accordance with the proposed decommissioning plan, 
and to terminate Facility License No. R-73. The UW research reactor was 
shut down in June 1988, and has not operated since then. The reactor 
fuel was removed from the facility and shipped to a Department of 
Energy (DOE) facility as directed by the DOE in accordance with DOE, 
NRC, and Department of Transportation requirements.
    Opportunity for a hearing was afforded by a ``Notice of Proposed 
Issuance of Orders Authorizing Disposition of Component Parts and 
Terminating Facility License'' published in the Federal Register on 
September 2, 1994, (59 FR 45738). No request for a hearing or petition 
for leave to intervene was filed following notice of the proposed 
action.

Need for Proposed Action

    In order to prepare the property for unrestricted access and use, 
the dismantling and decontamination activities proposed by UW must be 
accomplished.

Environmental Impact of the Proposed Action

    All decontamination will be performed by trained personnel in 
accordance with previously reviewed procedures and will be overseen by 
experienced health physics staff. Solid and liquid waste will be 
removed from the facility and managed in accordance with NRC 
requirements. The UW staff has calculated that the collective dose 
equivalent to the UW staff and public for the project will be less than 
0.06 person-sievert (6.02 person-rem).
    The above conclusions were based on all proposed operations being 
carefully planned and controlled, all contaminated components being 
removed, packaged, and shipped offsite, and the existence of 
radiological control procedures will be in place that will help to 
ensure that releases of radioactive wastes from the facility are within 
the limits of 10 CFR Part 20 and are as low as reasonably achievable 
(ALARA).
    Based on the review of the specific proposed activities associated 
with the dismantling and decontamination of the UW facility, the staff 
has determined that there will be no significant increase in the 
amounts of effluents that may be released offsite, and no significant 
increase in individual or cumulative occupational or population 
radiation exposure.
    The staff has also determined that the proposed activities will not 
result in any significant impacts on air, water, land, or biota in the 
area.

Alternative Use of Resources

    The only alternative to the proposed dismantling and 
decontamination activities is to maintain possession of the reactor. 
This approach would include monitoring and reporting for the duration 
of the safe storage period. However, UW intends to use the area for 
other academic purposes.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, the staff consulted with the 
State of Washington, Division of Radiation Protection, Debra McBaugh 
(360/586-8945), regarding the environmental impact of the proposed 
actions. There was no objection to the conclusions reached in the 
environmental assessment.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the 
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has 
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed action.
    For details with respect to the proposed action, see the licensee's 
letter dated August 2, 1994, which is available for public inspection 
at the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20555.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of April 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Seymour H. Weiss,
Director, Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate, 
Division of Project Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-10727 Filed 4-28-95; 8:45 am]
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